Plans are taking shape for the year-long celebration of Murfreesboro's 200th birthday, which begins Oct. 17 with an opening event on the brick plaza outside Murfreesboro City Hall and Linebaugh Public Library.
Prior to this event, a community planning meeting will be held July 21 in the Patterson Park Community Center dining room at 10 a.m. This meeting, hosted by Mayor Bragg and the 22-member executive steering committee, is being held to prepare for the Bicentennial Celebration. Anyone interested in making a contribution to the celebration is welcome. No RSVP is necessary.
For more information on this meeting, or on the celebration in general, email Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Angela Jackson at ajackson@murfreesborotn.gov or call her at 615-890-5333.
The inaugural event on the plaza will serve as the "kick-off" for an entire year of celebration.
Beginning in October, each of the next 12 months has been assigned themes and are chaired by members of the steering committee. Themes include:
• Our Heritage in October, a time to reflect on the naming of a county seat in Rutherford County called Cannonsburgh and that would eventually become Murfreesboro
• Our Beginnings in November, a time to recognize local legislation such as the official name change to Murfreesborough and finally Murfreesboro early the following year
• Our Teachers in December, a time to remember the history of our schools, including Middle Tennessee State University, which now boasts the largest undergraduate population in the state
• Our Healers in January of 2012, the doctors, nurses and other medical persons who laid the groundwork for developing the medical services hub Murfreesboro has become, including its flagship facility, the new Middle Tennessee Medical Center (MTMC).
• Our People, February 2012, a time to recognize the influences our multi-cultural society has had on the way of life we now enjoy
• Our Military, March 2012, a recognition of the military leaders our community has produced as well as the role our own Stones River National Battlefield played in the Civil War.
• Our Faith, April 2012, highlighting the role our churches of all faiths played during the early, hardscrabble years and the role they continue to play in the hearts and minds of our citizens. For example and coincidentally, Murfreesboro First Presbyterian Church was the first organized church in the town so is celebrating its Bicentennial at the same time
• Our Arts and Architecture, May 2012, the architecture of our public square, our courthouse and Oaklands antebellum home are but a few of the decidedly distinctive structures throughout the community.
• Our Rivers, Roads and Rails, June 2012, the importance of these early transportation systems that carried vital supplies to a growing but still fragile community.
• Our Music, July 2012, an event-filled month showcasing the role music played in our early development and the local, but mostly unknown, talent that continues to prove second to none in the country.
• Our Stories, August 2012, how newcomers -- we were all newcomers once -- were attracted to build their homes in our area and provide the backbone supporting a growing community.
• Our Work, September 2012, the commerce and century businesses that helped the fledgling community build its economic engine into one of the premier development sites in the state
• and Our Future, October 2012, where the community is headed and what role it will play in the region's future.
Needless to say, when the Tennessee Legislature agreed on Oct. 17, 1811 to establish Rutherford County’s seat near where Lytle and Town creeks meet, few dreamed that small settlement would grow into the metropolis it has become.
Yet grow it did, becoming known as Murfreesborough the next month on Nov. 19 and, by the time it was chartered in early January of the following year, the name had been shortened to Murfreesboro.
Now, 200 years later, the celebration being planned will highlight the important historical and cultural events that have made Murfreesboro one of the largest cities in the State of Tennessee.
Like Mayor Bragg has said many times before, come one and come all to celebrate Murfreesboro’s 200th.
“I'm excited and proud our city is getting ready to celebrate its upcoming 200th Birthday,” Bragg said. “Murfreesboro's Bicentennial is an excellent time to reflect on the aspirations and accomplishments of previous generations.
“Our city enjoys an outstanding location, long-serving family traditions, friendly atmosphere and vibrant economy” he continued. “Murfreesboro has been an integral part of regional growth, commerce and educational opportunity.”
The Mayor says he’s confident the many groups and organizations in Murfreesboro will make the upcoming Bicentennial celebration successful.
“Make plans, events and activities to commemorate the history and important contributions and achievements of every community segment throughout the past 200 years,” he added. “For ideas, our convention and visitor's staff, parks and recreation department and heritage communities are being asked to lead the way.
“I've been part of preliminary meetings and I'm convinced this can be a terrific celebration,” he said. “Let's join together to celebrate a significant past while preparing for a brilliant future.”
Like Mayor Bragg has said many times before, come one and come all to celebrate Murfreesboro’s 200th. “I'm excited and proud our city is getting ready to celebrate its upcoming 200th Birthday,” Bragg said. “Murfreesboro's Bicentennial is an excellent time to reflect on the aspirations and accomplishments of previous generations.
“Our city enjoys an outstanding location, long-serving family traditions, friendly atmosphere and vibrant economy” he continued. “Murfreesboro has been an integral part of regional growth, commerce and educational opportunity.”
The Mayor says he’s confident the many groups and organizations in Murfreesboro will make the upcoming Bicentennial celebration successful.
“Make plans, events and activities to commemorate the history and important contributions and achievements of every community segment throughout the past 200 years,” he added. “For ideas, our convention and visitor's staff, parks and recreation department and heritage communities are being asked to lead the way.
“I've been part of preliminary meetings and I'm convinced this can be a terrific celebration,” he said. “Let's join together to celebrate a significant past while preparing for a brilliant future.”
